Swine Flu, What Precautions To Take And Which Treatments Are Available
Today we are (more and more|more} vulnerable from various mutations of the flu virus. First we had alarms over the bird flu virus, but recently swine flu has become the major worry. Swine flu is of more concern than bird flu was. It was feared that bird flu could change into a form that would effect humans, but for a few cases, this situation did not materialize. Swine flu is a greater concern, the swine flu virus has the ability to pass between humans making swine flu a dangerous threat.
Swine flu, or to be more correct influenza A (H1N1), is a respiratory disease that effects pigs, it is the result of a flu virus. Swine flu outbreaks in pigs is is common but is rarely fatal. In the past, swine flu has not normally infected humans, but it can happen occasionally.
Swine flu is very dangerous because it is a new strain of the flu virus. This means that no one has been in contact with this particular type of flu before, and therefore no one has built up any immunity. It is our inbuilt immunity that prevents diseases from becoming life threatening, with no immunity to this virus we are in serious danger from the virus. Everyone is vulnerable, including healthy adults and teenagers as well as children and the elderly.
The real concern is what occurs when the flu season starts in the winter. This is the period when the flu virus may spread quickly causing a flu pandemic with the possibility of over half the population being affected.
Swine flu symptoms are similar to the symptoms of ordinary flu. These can include a sudden,sudden onset of fever, cough or a shortness of breath. Other symptoms can include headache, a sore throat, muscle aches, chills, sneezing, runny nose, appetite loss and tiredness.
Precautions First, anyone with the symptoms of a cold or flu should to take a few simple, but most important precautions. The flu virus is spread between humans from the small droplets from the mouth and nose when someone sneezes or coughs. This is the way viruses such as swine flu are passed from person to person. Covering your face with your hands when you cough or sneeze isn’t enough. The virus then live on your hands, then everything you handle afterwards becomes contaminated. Anyone touching anything you touched will pick up the germs and then risks becoming infected. Therefore, always use a handkerchief or a tissue. A tissue is far better, this should then be disposed of as soon as possible, and always use a fresh tissue if you sneeze or cough again.
There are currently no vaccinations to prevent anyone catching swine flu. The swine flu virus is a new type of virus and is not the same as ordinary flu. Therefore the vaccination against the normal ordinary flu is not effective against swine flu. Even when the strain of flu causing swine flu is identified, it will then take several months to produce. By which time, it may well have changed into a different strain again.
Currently the only effective treatment against swine flu is Tamiflu. Tamiflu is not guaranteed to prevent flu, but when a person has been exposed to another person who is carrying the flu virus, Tamiflu can help to stop the virus making a person ill. If Tamiflu is taken within two days of developing flu, Tamiflu can help stop the virus spreading throughout the body, thereby reducing the symptoms and risk associated. Governments are stockpiling Tamiflu, but the supplies will naturally be used to treat important workers and individuals before treating the general population.
You can buy Tamiflu online, so if the situation arises you can protect yourself and your family as much as possible. Although it cannot be emphasized enough, Tamiflu needs to be taken as early as possible if it is to be effective, delays in treatment will reduce the effectiveness of Tamiflu. If you think you may be at a greater risk because of your situation, such as For example living in a city with a large population or working in a busy open plan office, then it may be prudent to buy Tamiflu before the flu season starts. If you live in the country and don’t have a close contact with many people then you will be at a lower risk.
Also, remember that swine flu is a global problem. If a pandemic outbreak becomes global it is possible that supplies of Tamiflu may not be enough to meet a huge global demand.
Until a vaccine is found and produced in the quantities required, Tamiflu is the most effective treatment for the swine flu virus.
Disclaimer: This post is based on information that is freely available in the media and medical journals concerned with swine flu. Nothing in this article is meant to be or should be taken to be any sort of medical advice. For medical advice you are encouraged to consult with your physician.